GAME REPORT

Slovenia Struggle But Beat Bosnia-Herzegovina

Fans in Belgrade at EuroBasket 2005 could hardly have asked for a better opening game in Group C as Slovenia trailed late in the third quarter but held their nerve to beat Bosnia- Herzegovina.

In front of a packed Pionir Arena, Slovenia won 74-65 to deny their opponents a first EuroBasket triumph since 1997.

The clash between the neighbouring countries, with the vast majority of supporters in the arena coming from Slovenia, was hard-fought for almost 40 minutes.

Bosnia-Herzegovina led by as many as six points near the midway point of the third quarter but were unable to stretch their advantage.

Once Slovenia stepped up at the end of the third quarter with center Primoz Brezec's basket in the 28th minute giving them a 49-48 advantage, they never trailed again.

Bostjan Nachbar

"We played great for three quarters, but Slovenia played great defence, especially on fast-breaks," said Bosnia & Herzegovina forward Jasmin Hukic.

The final score did not flatter Bosnia-Herzegovina, who gave a worthy effort and trailed by a double-digit margin for the first time only in the last two minutes.

Slovenia enjoyed a promising start. Hukic opened the scoring for Bosnia-Herzegovina, but Radoslav Nesterovic's basket with 1:40 played sparked a 13-2 Slovenian run.

Mensur Bajramovic's team stepped up their offensive attack and closed to within 16-15 at the end of the first quarter.

Both teams had struggled from the field, and that continued in the next period, when the lead changed hands four times.

Slovenia's domination under the boards allowed them to seize a 31-25 lead, yet great defensive pressure by their opponents kept them close and enabled them to finish the first half tied at 34-34.

Bosnia had a better start to the third quarter as the temperature, both on court and in the stands, raised to new levels.

Damir Mrsic's lay-up 2:23 seconds into the second half gave the underdogs a 39-34 advantage, and they extended the advantage to 43-37 with 6:15 to play in the third after a pair of free throws by Mirza Teletovic.

A three-pointer by Teletovic again gave the Bosnians a six-point edge (48-42) with 3:38 to play in the third, but the rest of the game belonged to Slovenia.

Jaka Lakovic's three-pointer, consecutive baskets from Charlotte Bobcats star Brezec and another from rising star Erazem Lorbek accounted for nine straight points for the Slovenians as they began to take control.

A Jasmin Hukic three-pointer at the start of the fourth quarter pulled the Bosnians to 54-53, but they would get no closer.

Bostjan Nachbar's lay-up took the lead to 56-53 with 8:16 to play and put the Slovenians on their way.

Nachbar and Brezec each had 16 points to lead Slovenia, with the latter also hauling down nine rebounds.

GAME PREVIEW

No Udrih, No Problem For Slovenia

Some teams are better equipped than others to deal with injuries at major tournaments like the EuroBasket.

That would appear to be the case with Slovenia, who suffered the late withdrawal of an NBA champion Beno Udrih to a knee injury but still have Sani Becirovic and Jaka Lakavic as ballhandlers.

Both Climamio Bologna's Becirovic, who has battled back from a serious knee injury and gotten his career on track, and Panathinaikos playmaker Jaka Lakovic are receiving a lot of attention ahead of Friday's opening game against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Slovenia have a fearsome frontline with Primos Brezec and Rasho Nesterovic

Team manager Tone Krump says even with no Udrih, the team is ready.

"All of the players are okay," he said to PA Sport. "They had practice this morning (Thursday) and will have practice later this afternoon.

"We are very optimistic ahead of the game against Bosnia. Our main goal is to finish as one of the first eight teams in the tournament.

"That is why we are here.

"That is something we have been unable to do in all of the previous EuroBaskets we have taken part in."

Slovenian do have a loaded roster with NBA centers Rasho Nesterovic and Primoz Brezec giving them a potent one-two punch, and New Orleans Hornet forward Bostjan Nachbar is another excellent player who will have to be guarded by the Bosnians.

The team also has youth in Erazem Lorbek, a member of Climamio's title-winning side last season in Italy's Lega A.

"The atmosphere in the team is very good," Krump added.

"All the players are focused and they know how important it is to start a tournament with a win."

As for who the starters will be, Krump added: "The coach (Ales Pipan) will make his decision after tonight's practice."

If Slovenia have an embarrassment of riches in talent and the ability to overcome injuries, Bosnia are not so lucky.

Barisa Krasic was not fully fit and coach Mensur Bajramovic decied not to take any chances and left him out of the final squad.

Bosnia do have sharpshooting Efes Pilsen star Henry Domercant in the mix now.

The Illinois-born player applied for and received citizenship, which should pose some problems for the Slovenians who will find it difficult to contain guard Damir Mrsic.